Something for everyone: with 16 different teams represented here, almost every football fan will find a reason to cheer

THE 2003 SEASON CERTAINLY WAS one of the most congruent in recent NFL history. Eight of the 12 teams that reach the playoffs in 2002 did not return. At times in '03, the Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, and Carolina Panthers looked like world-beaters. And for the first time since 1991, a 10-win team missed the playoffs (the Miami Dolphins). All of this helps explain why 16 teams are represented on FOOTBALL DIGEST'S 2003 All-Pro Team.

It's an ornery bunch that includes some of the league's all-time trash-talkers on defense. Across the line of scrimmage are a quarterback and a kicker who feuded last offseason--and they're on the same team! We're talking, of course, about Peyton Manning and Mike Vanderjagt.

But above all else, it's a talented crew. The offense is led by our Player of the Year and also includes the single-season record-holder in touchdowns and a guy who nearly broke Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record, set in 1984. Up front is an offensive line that is hulking on the ends and quick and agile at the guard and center positions.

The defense is versatile, with big tackles capable of pass-rushing from the outside, ends who can help out in pass coverage, and a linebacking corps led by our Defensive Player of the Year that ranks among the most athletic we've ever assembled.

On special teams, we have two return men who combined for six touchdowns and the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history. Here's a comprehensive look at FOOTBALL DIGEST's 2003 All-Pro team:

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts

Our 2003 Player of the Year has had more completions, yards, and touch-downs in past seasons than he did in 2003. But he just keeps getting a little closer to perfect, setting career bests for completion percentage (67.0) and passer rating (99.0) and getting intercepted a career-low 10 times. He led the Colts to their best win total (12) and deeper into the playoffs since 1968, when the franchise was in Baltimore. "It would be tough to find a player who has played better," Colts center Jeff Saturday says.

Running Backs

Jaman Lewis, Baltimore Ravens

Two years removed from a severe knee injury, Lewis shattered Corey Dinon's single-game rushing record in Week 2, coming just five yards shy of the first 300-yard rushing performance in league history. He postead the NFUs second-highest single-season rushing total (2,066 yards) and averaged almost a touchdown per game.

Lewis had a three-touchdown day against the Cincinnati Bengals in December and a pair of two touchdown games; the Ravens won all three times. "He has that ability to guarantee three, four, or five yards [every play]," Baltimore coach Brian Billick says.

Priest Holmes, Kansas City Chiefs

Holmes set NFL records for rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns in a single season with 27. He has reached the endzone 51 times in the past two seasons. The Chiefs' all-time leader in TDs even had a street in Kansas City named after him. Dating back to 2001, Holmes has more rushing and combined yards than any NFL back. "Breading records and scoring touchdowns," Holmes says, "can make all the pain go away."

Fred Bensley, San Francisco 49ers

Beasley didn't see much of the football (17 rushing attempts, 19 receptions). He never has (174 rushes, 121 receptions in six seasons). He only got into the end-zone once in '03--with. the ball in his hands, that is--but he helped the 49ers score 16 rushing touchdowns with his blocking ability. Even though San Francisco didn't reach the playoffs, it ranked fifth in total rushing yards (2,279) due in no small part to Beasley.

Tight End

Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs

Gonzalez's 71 receptions led NFL fight ends. He also topped his position in receiving yards (910 and touchdown catches (10). After only seven seasons, he is Kansas City's all-time receptions leader, having surpassed Henry Marshall and Otis Taylor in 2003. Gonzalez also became the sixth Chiefs player to surpass 5,000 career yards in receiving. The man just always seems to

be open; he had at least two receptions in every game in 2003.

Wide Receivers

Tony Holt, St. Louis Rams

Holt finished just two receptions and 85 yards short of breaking Isaac Bruce's franchise records. "I will he around here a couple more years," Holt says, "so you can ask me that again when I do break it." He led the league in catches (117) and receiving yards (1,696), even though the longest reception he had all season was for 48 yards. The diminutive wideout played big, scoring a career-high 12 touchdowns. Known for his athleticism and precise routes, Holt started in his second Pro Bowl in three seasons.

Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings

Moss led Minnesota's resurgence by catching 111 passes for 1,632 yards, second only to Torry Holt in both categories, and scoring a league-leading 17 touchdowns. He became the seventh player in NFL history with consecutive 100-reception seasons, and he has had 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first six pro seasons.